A retired businessman and “devoted” husband is believed to have killed himself and his terminally-ill wife, as police announced they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. Some neighbours suggested the tragedy may have happened after the stress of battling a planning application for a settled travellers’ site next to their Herefordshire home became too much.

John Knott, 71, and his wife Anne, 70, who had Alzheimer’s, were found by lying together alongside the weapon, each with a single gunshot wound, after family members raised the alarm on Monday.

It is believed the stress of fighting the extension of the travellers’ camp, next to the couples’ picturesque home near Bosbury in Herefordshire, alongside caring for his wife, became “just too much” for Mr Knott.

A shotgun registered to Mr Knott was recovered at the scene, with Detective Inspector Richard Rees of Herefordshire CID stating: “At this stage of our investigation there is no evidence of any third part involvement and we can confirm we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shootings.”

Mr Knott had spent months attempting to prevent more gypsies moving permanently into the field next to his cottage, bought after he retired, after permission was granted for more families to move permanently into the field.